Author's Rant: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

Phase Two

Hiten quietly pushed his fork through the crumbled bits of tonight's dinner; bacon cheeseburger pie and crisply chopped potato wedges. His father didn't believe in buying anything pre-packaged. If he could buy it premium cut or fresh from the market, that'll be his only option. It could be chopped up to his sensitive tongue. Being a renowned chef came with its perks, but inwardly it seems like a burden for his father whenever they would attempt to eat outside of home.

Inuyasha could taste every single ingredient in a meal and determine how it was prepared based on the texture, warmth and overall taste. If he didn't approve, he didn't swallow. It's a habit Hiten picked on as well, which is why he opts to take lunch to school. Tonight one of his favorite meals was made, he couldn't bring himself to eat a bite. His stomach's too knotted and his nerves to shot to death.

Neither of them had spoken a single word to one another since they arrived home. Hiten for worrying he'll retrigger his father's earlier outburst and Inuyasha from not wanting to voice his concerns right away. The father needed to collect his wits first, simmer down his temper a little.

He wasn't as angry as before. Not at his son anyway. He'll be dealt with soon enough. It was the jackass father of the delinquent that got his son into trouble. It made his blood boil. That low down, ignorant jerk. Who did he think he was anyway? Is it that hard for him to see through how much of a hardheaded son he has? He flat out admitted it was his fault. Even if Hiten denies it, it could easily be chalked up to him lying in order to save his friend.

Whom . . . up to that point, Inuyasha hadn't known his son had any close friends. None worth getting in trouble for. So, it made him wonder how close these two were and for how long? Inuyasha chewed his food thoughtfully, staring out the picture room of the living room into his inky black void covering the spices and herbs he grew outside. What does that say about his parenting abilities? Inuyasha knew he should be aware of who his son's involved with for his own safety. Does he make it hard for Hiten to approach him? Inuyasha had always thought they possessed a decent relationship between father and son. They talked, shared subjects about their day . . . but never anything about friends or dates.

"Hiten." Inuyasha decide the intense silence had lived long enough and broke through the barrier between them after finishing half of his fluffy buttered toast. "Tell me what's goin' on."

Hiten's eyes rose up slow and timid and returned to staring at his food. He places his fork next to his plate and offered a small shrug. "I dunno."

"Ya gotta know. You've never misbehaved in school before. I'm—well, worried."

Hiten held his gaze when he looked up a second time and stared a long moment. "You're not mad?"

"Boy, I'm pissed enough to skin your behind like a catfish." Inuyasha's voice tapers as he continues. "But I know when something's off. Damaging school property? Kid, you don't even keep a dirty room. Not a sock outta place. So, what's really goin' on? Was that kid right that he forced you into doing all of that stuff or did you really act out on your own?"

Hiten stared at him blankly for a moment, and Inuyasha thought his son would actually lie to him until he watched the emotions filtered through his eyes like pits of powder sugar. "I did it on my own," he eventually says. "Tsukuyomaru didn't force me. He said he was gonna do it and I willingly volunteered . . . he's my best friend."

"What kind of best friend would intentionally allow his friend to help him do something like this?"

Hiten shook his head. "He tried to talk me out of it, but I insisted. I don't know why he wanted to do it. It was just spur of the moment. We did one prank and it just escalated from there."

Inuyasha leaned backwards, crossing his arms over his chest. If he weren't convinced before, he was now. Hiten wasn't lying. And he had to deal with the stupid guilt roiling in his gut at having been so damn adamant about blaming that other kid for it. He couldn't blame Hiten for this. Inuyasha had made an ass out of himself and needed to rectify the problem. When he was wrong, he was man enough to admit it and fix it. Whether Shawl accepted his apology or not would be entirely up to him.

"Also . . . um," Hiten rubbed the back of his head as a loud and bright blush colored the bridge of his nose. "I kind of did it because I thought it'd get Tsukuyomaru to notice me. I-I like him."

Inuyasha's blinked really fast, then frowned, unsure if he'd heard correctly. "D-do what now?"

"I like him, Daddy." Hiten smiles softly, chuckling. "Like I really, really like him. I have since we met in the eighth grade."

"Oh, um, wow . . . alright then . . ." Yeah, so he had heard right. Now Hiten's face was flaming. Inuyasha licked his lips, waiting for the proper reply to formulate in his head, but this confession slammed him with the force of a wrecking ball. "So, you're sayin' that you're—"

"Bisexual," Hiten blurted out fast enough to blur out what Inuyasha had been ready to say. "I still like girls . . . but I like boys too."

Inuyasha was sure how to approach this. He wasn't angry or disappointed, just stunned. Very much so. Throughout his whole life, Hiten has never shown a visible preference for males. Shit, or females, but Inuyasha thought his son was too shy to try dating. Which he was inwardly grateful for because he wasn't sure he was ready to deal with his son dating. But after discovering this, the monumental weight it held over him was overwhelming.

The father drummed his fingers along the edge of the table, eyes wide and confused. He fidgeted uneasily in his seat and noted how Hiten had done the same, with open plea and understanding on his face. That's when Inuyasha realized he'd been sitting here the whole time and hadn't say anything at all.

"Dad. . . I'm sorry if you're disappointed," Hiten murmured. "Do you hate me?"

"What? God son, no. I could never hate you." Inuyasha wiped a hand over his mouth before using it to perch his chin on and sighed. "It's just a shock. I'm still reelin," he chuckles awkwardly. "I never thought that you'd, um, be interested in boys."

"And girls."

"Whatever," Inuyasha laughs differently this time, a loosely sound that pulls much of the tension out of the room. "So, you have a crush on this kid?"

The blush returns full force. "Y-yeah, he's great."

Inuyasha nods. "That's cute," he comments, then goes back to eating. Hiten does the same, finishing his meal fast and helping himself to a second helping. Even grabbing his father's plate to pile another large slice on it before passing it over.

When dinner's over, Inuyasha boils up a kettle of sweet tea, softly flavored with lavender and raspberry. Both of them could use the therapeutic smells to soothe their spirits. They took to the living room, Inuyasha stretching out on the couch and Hiten sitting on the floor, next to his head. Though it was just the start of fall, the temperatures outside hadn't dropped enough for the fireplace to be lit. But Inuyasha didn't mind feeling the heat blanket his skin and judging from the content sigh from his son, Hiten didn't either.

Inuyasha didn't want to ruin this moment. He cherished these quiet moments with his son. They'd become so distant since he became a teenager; as if spending time with his father wasn't as fun as it used to be. But he needed to speak about what happened earlier and reprimanding is in order.

"Hiten."

"Sir?"

Inuyasha pulled his legs up and righted himself, expression stern. "Don't think you're gonna get off for what you did." At Hiten's sudden flinch, Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "I'm not gonna whoop ya this time. I don't have the drive for it, but you're grounded for a month. No arcade, no museums, no laptop, no PlayStation, and I'm limiting the data on your phone."

"Wow," Hiten looked into the flames, and nods slowly, sinking a little. "Alright. What about after school?"

Inuyasha's frown hardened. "No." He ignores the ache in his chest at the disheartened look on Hiten's face, remaining firm on the decision. "You'll come straight home, do your chores and homework. Nothing beyond that."

Hiten sighs grimly, rolling his empty teacup. "I suppose I'm gettin' off good, huh?"

"Ya think?" Inuyasha playfully nudges the back of his head. "Be glad. The way I was feelin' before, I thought 'bout nothing else 'cept wearin' your ass out."

"You haven't tanned my butt since I was twelve. Remember when I put your shaving cream all over your bedroom 'cause I wanted to help Santa make snow?"

"Oh son, don't remind me," Inuyasha dropped his head on the armrest, draping his arm over his eyes. "I still owe you another ten years' worth of ass whoopin' for that one. You covered the mirrors, windows, my dresser—I'm still tryin' to figure out how you managed to cover half the ceiling. I mean damn, that was an even coat."

The father-son pair shared a loving moment reminiscing on those days. Because of Hiten's mischievous nature, Inuyasha suffered through his son's constant curiosity and inability to anticipate what would come of that curious mind. Inuyasha shook his head slowly and sipped his tea. Good times. God, he missed those simple days.

"Say Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Uh, you remember Tsukuyomaru's dad?"

And just like that, Inuyasha's good mood vanished with a flash and crackle. "What about 'im?" he grumbled irritably.

"What do you think of him?"

"He's an asshole," Inuyasha answers right away. He brushes his hair over his shoulder, glaring into the swirling indigo colored tea in his cup. "I didn't appreciate 'im tryin' to push all the blame on you when he knew that brat of his was at fault. Mostly at fault." He promptly corrects.

"I didn't think he was so bad. He reminds me of you a little. The way you both were angry," Hiten rolls his shoulders up in a shrug, taking a drink. He bends his legs up to his chest and glances behind to find his father's legendary scowl in place, dark eyebrows scrunched like they're pinned there. "Tsukuyomaru told me a little about him. He works all the time, doesn't get out much, no friends. . . You have a lot in common."

Inuyasha's left eyebrow rises. "Your point?"

"Nothing." Hiten grunts in the effort it takes to climb up to his feet and stretches his arms. "I'm gonna head to bed. Night Dad."

"Night, son." Inuyasha whispered.

He fixed his dark gaze inside his cup again. His eyes lock on a singular herb bit swirling in the center. A sign of good fortune to come. Such a random omen. Inuyasha brushes away his bothersome side-lock again and shakes his head. What an odd speculation to make. Inuyasha didn't have a thing in common with that demon asshole. That jerk was arrogant, cocky, self-absorbed and even looked one of those people who refused to believe their own shit stank.

There is only one common trait they shared and that's their strong devoted love for their sons. As were the case so passionately shown when they were in the school office. Beyond that, Inuyasha doubted there is anything else. And he wasn't going to sit here contemplating it further.

After finishing his tea, Inuyasha leaves for bed. But sleep eludes him for a few hours because of his damnable conscience. Guilt is a wicked son of a bitch.

"Dad, ya ready?"

"Yeah, get in here."

'He's calmed down some.' Good. There's less of a risk factor here. On a bad day, Tsukuyomaru would've sprinted back to his room and barricaded the door to keep his dad at bay. He may have inherited his father's temper, but no way in Hell did he inherit that man's speed and strike force. Tsukuyomaru emerged from the hallway, dressed in a plain white tee and plaid pajama pants, towel drying his hair. He circled the way and gave a crooked grin upon seeing his father seated at the head of their dinner table, biting through a thickly decorated roast beef sandwich.

Sesshomaru polished off his meal and dusted the crumbs from his fingers before gesturing for his son to take the stool positioned between his legs. Several hefty roast beef and turkey sandwiches sat piled on two separate plates with large bags of ranch Doritos and plain Lays chips next to two bottles of root beer and sprite. He even made dinner? He's definitely in a better mood.

Tsukuyomaru toes the stool away and sits Indian style in front of his father's legs, snatching a sandwich off the table and the whole bag of Lays. "Mmm," he purred blissfully at the first crunch of bacon, pickles, spicy mustard, tomato, thinly sliced roast beef.

"Jesus boy, when'd ya get so big on me?"

"Ya better watch ya'self, Dad. I'm gonna be taller than you soon."

"How tall are you now?"

"Six foot."

"Damn, another four and you'll catch up to me."

"Bet? Then I'll be the man of the house."

Sesshomaru lightly pops his head. "Bigger don't mean badder, son. You come home thinkin' you can whoop my ass if you want. I'll knock you through the wall and not think twice about it."

"Never that. I ain't stupid."

Sesshomaru snorted under his breath. "That shit ya pulled earlier speaks differently." When his son sheepishly ducks his head, Sesshomaru smirks triumphantly. "Thought I forgot?"

"No, I uh." The sandwich is lowered as two bright violet eyes glanced up at him, paired with a charming smile. "I was thinkin' of bonding with my dear ole dad braiding my hair without fearin' for my life?"

"Uh-huh, you brought the comb?"

Tsukuyomaru promptly produces the wide-tooth tool and returns to eating. He nestled his back against the small gape between his father's thighs and endured having layers of hair parted, and sections divided evenly before a comb was gingerly ran through to detangle the knots. Tsukuyomaru bit his bottom lip hard when a particular knot refused to fall through and his father's rough handed treatment wasn't helping. He was normally a tad gentler, but the treatment could be owned up to Tsukuyomaru's misbehaving. That's fine though. He'd take losing some hairs over suffering a beat down.

"Who's that boy you got in trouble?" Sesshomaru absently questions. He flips away the freshly combed parts to the left and starts working through the middle. "He doesn't look like the type of kid to miss a day of homework."

"Hiten Saotome. That's my main man."

"Your what?"

"My best friend!" Tsukuyomaru laughs, brightening at the chance to talk about his buddy. "He's smart, real chill and laid back. Anytime I have trouble in my classes, he helps tutor me. No one's had my back the way he does." He ponders over what he's about to say, wondering if it's worth the chance of getting smacked. "Ya'd know what that's like if you ever tried being friendly to folks; instead of tryin' to pass yourself off as a diabolical jerk."

The violent jerk of his hair was his first clue that that was a little too mouthy for his age. Tsukuyomaru was tugged so far, he had to crane his neck directly upright to add slack to his restrained hair.

"Sorry, sorry. Dad! Ow, that's the root! Can you can stop now?" he pleas and sighs as he's released. "Didn't mean to touch on a sensitive topic."

"Learn to mind your tongue, then." Sesshomaru grabs a handful of his hair and began curling his claws through to assess any knots he may have missed. After a satisfying search of none, he starts tugging and pulling on the long, wet strands. "I don't need friends. They want too much in return."

"Like what, a chance to get to know you?" Tsukuyomaruallowed his head to be jerked back with the pressure. "I wish you'd try. Not like you have anything to lose."

"Less chance of being betrayed," Sesshomaru utters indifferently, sorting through a couple of missed tangles.

"Chance is the keyword."

"Yes, it is." Sesshomaru scraps the hair together, then working it into three even divisions and neatly begins a weaving pattern, stretching the sodden hair until it was wound down to the middle of Tsukuyomaru's back. "There, you can get up."

Tsukuyomaru reached around to finger the thick plait and deemed it perfect. He climbed to his feet and went to take the hair things in the bathroom. He returned a minute later to finish eating a quiet dinner with his father. He'd did a marginal push, but his father's temper was like a skittish kitten; real easy to set off. He didn't expect the first attempt at the discussion to go easy. If it had, he'd be worry.

Flipping the neater tail back over his shoulder, Tsukuyomaru cleared his throat to grab his father's attention. "So, Mr. Saotome seems nice," he lightly comments, not missing the sharp glint in those gold eyes. "Hiten talks about him all the time."

"Nice?" Sesshomaru bites through his third sandwich, then adds after swallowing, "I don't see how you managed to gather that about him. Didn't you hear how he felt about demons?"

Tsukuyomaru shrugs. "I don't think he meant anything by it. Besides, Hiten's half-demon so he can't hate us for real. That'd make him a mega hypocrite."

"Hell yeah, it would."

Tsukuyomaru bit his lip hard, so he wouldn't laugh at the wide-eyed frown on his father's face. He just nodded and told himself to tread carefully. "But what do you think of 'im?"

"I think he's one of those overly privileged humans who outta seek tutelage to learn to properly approach a demon. Steppin' up to me like that 'bout landed him in the ER."

"Maybe you two got off on the wrong foot."

Sesshomaru glares across the table. "Didn't you just hear me?"

"I didn't mean in the literal sense." Tsukuyomaru raises his hands. "He was mad I got his son in trouble. What sensible parent wouldn't? Hiten's one of the smartest kids in our class. He doesn't do trouble. And you and I both know demons don't exactly have the best reputations. We don't all share the same equality thoughts when it comes to humans."

Sesshomaru snorts lowly. "That doesn't excuse him for lumpin' us in the same mold as those low class deviants."

"You're right. I was mad a little bit, but I still had to see where he was comin' from." Tsukuyomaru grabbed his trash and stood. "I'm just sayin', try to be a little more understanding."

He leaves to let his debate marinate in his father's brain for a while. He makes it halfway to his bedroom when he hears his father's sharp voice carry down the hall. Tsukuyomaru comes hurrying down the hall because the tone's one of those you don't walk to.

"Yeah?"

Sesshomaru cuts his eyes at him. Tsukuyomaru barely restrains the urge to roll his eyes, then quietly corrects himself.

"Sir?"

"Two months."

"Two months?" Understanding dawns on the teenager with a quickness. "Whoa, two months!"

Sesshomaru thumbs off each limitation. "School, practice, home, homework, chores and your curfew's jacked up to ten." He stands from the table and heads into the kitchen, still listing punishments. "When I get out of the shower, your PlayStation, Wii, and DS better be in the closet."

The teenage gasps, horrified. "Two months! All of that? Dad that's a prison sentence!" He pauses, blinks, and then asks. "Can't I just get a whoopin'?"

"Nope."

"Ah man," Tsukuyomaru grumbles angrily, stomping to the bedroom. "I'm not speaking to you the whole time!" He shouts down the hall.

"That's a blessing!" Sesshomaru calls back, chuckling. He doesn't pay any mind to the door slamming. He'll let his son have his tantrum. Serves him right for making him second guess the way he treated that human.

Text Messages:

Hiten

Tsukuyomaru

How bad didja get it?

Man, I'm grounded for a whole fuckin' month! Dad's got me on a leash shorter than my pubs. Fuck you for getting me into this. :(

Shut up, I'm on punishment for two months. Shows how much of a pansy your dad is compared to mine.

Again, fuck you. When do we move to Phase Two?

You asked if you can come to the game tomorrow?

Are you retarded? Of course I didn't ask. Why would he lemme go when he placed me on lockdown?

Didn't you tell him about the crush?

Duh, but I didn't wanna have to out myself to him like that. I wanted to wait until I was eighteen. Ugh, now he's gonna think I want you. I'm sick. . .

Lol aww whatever baby doll. I've seen you check out my ass.

I'm BI-SEXUAL, not dead. Anyone with half a cock would get hard after seeing you bend over.

Lmao just ask him will ya? Your dad looks like he won't be able to resist allowing his sweet widdle son from seeing his crush play football.

You're an ass. I hate you. I'll ask, but don't expect positive results.

Try real hard. If this works, Phase Two will go into effect tomorrow night.

Whatever. He's gonna say no because he's boring.

We'll see. Ttyl.

What on earth is he doing here?

None of this suited Inuyasha's style. Trust his own stupid conscience to let himself get suckered by those baby red eyes. Hiten worked him better than any cute puppy could a little girl. In exchange for an added month of punishment, he really wanted a chance to see his crush in action on the field against their high school's bitter rivals; the Dalton High Jaguars.

Inuyasha knew he should have stayed firm, put his foot down on the matter and ended all discussion over it. But, but Hiten never asks for anything more than he needs. School supplies, clothes, trips to the museums, the typical necessities. And it's his son's crush. How could Inuyasha stand in the way of that? He could accept it. Plus, it's a guy, so no worries of teenage pregnancy.

But he couldn't fathom why Hiten was so adamant about pressuring him into joining him? It was his son's last day of real freedom. Why not go spend it with his friends instead of his father? Now look at him. Surrounded by all this commotion and rowdiness?

Inuyasha hated crowds. More so, he despised boisterous, rebellious, unruly people who had no respect for personal space. Really? He'd bumped into twenty shoulders and was positive he got a whiff of someone's musky ass armpits while weaving through the masses. Everywhere he ganders there's hordes of small children, dashing across the grassy lawns behind the twenty-stair metal blenches horse-shoeing the football field. Teenagers stood huddled by the wired fences wearing painted faces and letterman jackets.

Hiten was wearing one too; about two sizes too big for him, reaching as far as his knees. The back read SHAWL in big black letters across the shoulder blades. And Hiten wore it proudly. Call Inuyasha a romantic, but he couldn't help smiling for his son. Even if the one he crushed on was the young brat to get him in trouble.

"Come on, Dad. We gotta find good seats!" Hiten called from up ahead.

Inuyasha adjusted the collar around his leather jacket before climbing up the stony stairwell. Three extra steep walks up the steps and pushing through legs and junk food cluttering the ground, Hiten and Inuyasha find a suitable space five levels beneath the announcer's booth.

The scoreboard flashed the latest three pointer to the home team after a successful field goal. Inuyasha blew into his hands to quell the chill gripping at his fingers. It was getting nippy out here.

"Hey," a nudge grabs his attention. Inuyasha lifts an eyebrow in his son's direction. "Thanks for bringin' me, Dad. I'm glad you came too."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "I couldn't let 'cha come alone. Besides, I'm cool with the whole crush thing. After the game," his mouth twisted to the side, "I mean if ya meet the kid afterwards, hugging is allowed, but if I end up seein' ya'll kissin'. . . I'm gonna have to break my knee in his ass."

"Dad," Hiten playfully elbows him. "Knock it off. Channel that attitude towards the game, will ya?" He laughs. "'Sides Tsukuyomaru's a gentleman. He'd ask first."

"Excuse me? So you're tellin' me is he's got fresh before? Son of—"

"Dad, sit down!" Hiten yanks on his father's arm until he returns to his seat. He sucked his teeth, shaking his head and starts paying attention to the game, but kept a good hold on his father's arm.

Inuyasha sharply curses under his breath when the crowd explodes in an uproar. The audience collectively rises and cheers in unison as number twenty-three tears across the field, dipping and dodging through big blockers. Inuyasha flinched at Tsukuyomaru managing to avoid a nasty tackle with a clever duck and spin. He's coming faster down the field, five runners gaining on him fast. Two of his teammates are charging into provide cover, he's just about there. Twenty yards away. Ten yards—

"Yikes," Inuyasha hisses sympathetically, pressing hand to his forehead when the Jaguar's Left Tackle plows through Tsukuyomaru when he touches the ninth yard. For several agonizing seconds, the audience quietly waiting with baited breath as the coaches and physical fitness assistant rushes on the field to check on his welfare. Next to Inuyasha, Hiten's lips ball tight and his hands clenched till his knuckles bleached white.

"This happens often?" he asks, hoping to shake his son of worry.

Hiten blinks rapidly next to him as if he'd totally forgot his father was present. "Um, yeah, sometimes. He got dropped about three weeks ago against the Rodger High Rams. But he normally doesn't stay down this long."

Both teams, on the field and sidelines, take a knee. Another individual is suddenly escorted to the field, wearing dark clothing; a smoke grey jeans, a black parka jacket and snapback. Even with all those clothes, Inuyasha recognized that long white hair and tall figure. The kid's father. Inuyasha squints his eyes, unknowingly drawing closer to the front rail, watching as Shawl bends over his son, speaking.

Whatever motivated speech he says works like a charm. Tsukuyomaru suddenly jack-knife's off the ground, wringing out his limbs. The crowds explode, stomping and clapping enthusiastically for their star Running Back's recovery. He's moved to the bench and substituted out. Not once had Inuyasha's eyes strayed away from the kid and his father interacting. The coaches, a couple of his friends and even the fitness assistant were out there trying to help, but as soon as the kid's father appears, Tsukuyomaru's ready to take the world. There's a strong bond between the two.

Hiten smirks. He looks over the rail and like magic, things start going better then he'd hoped. Mr. Shawl leaves the sideline after an encouraging slap on Tsukuyomaru's shoulder, and aims for the concession stands. Fate was practically tossing them chances.

"Um, Dad I'm feelin' thirsty, but. . ." Hiten quietly looks at the field below. "I don't wanna . . . ya know, just in case."

Inuyasha rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, watch your boyfriend." He ruffles his hair, and stands. "What's your poison, sport?"

"Orange Fanta. That joint there," Hiten points at the third stand next to the second largest one in the center of the yard, "is the only one you can buy Fanta drinks. Oh, and grab some nachos, a chili dog—loaded—and loaded fries."

Inuyasha cocks an eyebrow, then chuckles. "Boy, your butthole's destined for Hell. We're gonna have to fumigate the whole block."

"Dadddddd, TMI. Come on!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I gotcha." Inuyasha leaves for the side stairs, and makes his way through the gaggles. When he reaches the concession stands, the lines are filed in front of three server windows per building. The prices are plastered on the walls in white paint.

It should be criminal how much people tolerant this greasy junk. Inuyasha's nostrils capture every individual ingredient like a fish net, catching whiff after every processed whiff of the pre-packaged food. He didn't harp on his son's tastes, but damn if he didn't try converting him to eating only naturally made meals. Inuyasha was tempted to run inside the establishment and do away with everything. The chili smells thick of old meat, chili powder, and company spices. The melted cheese used on the nachos were definitely out of a can and he swears those fries have been sitting out for more than ten minutes.

Inuyasha presses the back of his hand under his nose and closes his eyes. Nothing here is made to order. No way in Hell. It stunk of imperfection. Inuyasha stifles a weak groan with a cough and steps back waving in front of his face. As Inuyasha pivoted in place, readying a good lie about why he refused to subject his son to this garbage, his ankle catches the side of someone's foot and the owner's hands balance on his shoulders like steel clamps.

"Whoa, easy there lil' man. It's a bit early to be tipsy, ain't it?"

Inuyasha was too dizzy to care about how this man's voice buzzed in his chest like a jar of rattled bees. "Outta my way, Shawl," he grumbles, cradling his brow.

"You're offerin' your place in line? Fine."

Inuyasha yelps when the collar of his jacket is yanked and he's literally flung to the side. Whilst wavering frantically to stay balanced, he glares at the tall demon who's taken it upon himself to replace Inuyasha in line. That singular had cleared his conscience of all guilt. Any and all chances of apologizing to this creep were shot.

"Are you serious? Get outta my way!" Inuyasha roughly wedges himself back in, ignoring the overwhelming stink.

A dark chuckle reaches his ear. "What are you doin' here, Saotome? Ya don't look like a pigskin fan."

"Mindin' my damn business, so why don't you give it a go?"

"Kinda hard to ignore someone who loudly promotes his hate for demons!" Shawl says, raising his voice to invite the rest of the surrounding people into the conversation.

Inuyasha went pale and looked around—several people, all demons were spitting fire with their eyes at him. He grins uneasily. "S-Stop playin'. You're gonna give folks the wrong idea. . ." Inuyasha clears his throat and faces forward, casually rocking on his heels, lowering his voice. "Whoa nelly, you're itchin' for me to be all over that ass."

"If you put your hands on me lil' man, I exercise the right to lay your ass out."

"You can try," the dark haired human matches just as haughtily, "and get yourself embarrassed in the process."

"I'd love to see you back that claim up."

"Touch me the wrong way and you'll get all the proof ya need."

"You threatened me first."

"Right after you made me out to be a public bigot."

The next time Inuyasha freezes when Shawl's deep voice ripples next to his hear. "Don't the words heathen demons sound like something a zealot human might say?"

Inuyasha frowns and sighs a long, winded sigh. He angles his head sideways to free his ear of that horribly, cool voice, and indifferently throws, "Exactly, how prejudice does it sound when a grown man calls out a teenage boy's mixed heritage? Peer pressure's a bitch at fifteen, don't 'cha think? Imagine how hard it is for a, um, what did you call him? Oh, a half-breed to deal with on a daily basis." Inuyasha gives him a quick, tense glance, then steps forward as the line moves.

The smell's still killer, but he can handle it after victoriously gaining Shawl's silence. Remembering the bitterness hanging off that single word twisted his insides. Inuyasha knew firsthand how much some demons despised half demons because they represented betrayal; demons and humans procreating consensually or non-consensually. Regardless of the circumstances, some demons were still cruelly bias to half-demons and passed those beliefs down to their children. Inuyasha's childhood friend suffered immense bullying to the point of his parents having to transfer him to another school. He hadn't seen his best friend since. No one's been able to replace him.

"Sir, you ready to order?"

Inuyasha's ripped out of his old days, to see he'd reached the service window. "Um, an orange Fanta, loaded fries, loaded nachos, a chili dog, and a bottle of water."

"Yes sir," the little girl writes down the order. "Cheese on the dog?"

"No."

"OK, that'll be—"

"Actually," Shawl's voice suddenly cuts through as he slid into view. "There's more on this order. Add another chili dog with cheese and peppers, a bag of Doritos and a Root Beer."

Inuyasha blinked. "What the Hell—"

"That'll be fifteen dollars and fifty cents," says the girl.

"Hold on, I'm not paying for—"

A large, pale hand passes a twenty through the window. "Keep the change," says Shawl. "How long until our stuff's ready?"

The little girl disappears, then returns. "My mama says it'll be about ten minutes. We gotta make more chili and cheese."

"Perfect, thanks." Shawl then grabs Inuyasha's arm and forcefully pulls him to the side, ignoring the hard swats and scratches at his hand. When they reach a private distance, Shawl has the nerve to bop Inuyasha's forehead to stop his bitch fit.

Inuyasha gawks, offended. "I'm gonna report your ass for assault!"

Shawl lazily drapes his arms against the low fence. "Good luck reportin' a cop, lil' man. You'd have better luck picking up clean shit."

"Don't call me lil' man," Inuyasha impatiently snaps. "I'm grown, same as you."

"Yet here you are rippin' and hollarin' like a temper tantrum throwin' cryin' ass, whiny ass, immature ass, embryonic ass, punk ass, bitchy ass, angry ass . . ." Here, he grins wickedly and presents his case with the spread of his hands. ". . . lil' man."

"Ya know what," Inuyasha chuckles annoyingly. "Fuck you, and good bye." He spins on his heel prepared to leave.

"Saotome, don't walk away from me!"

"Up yours, Shawl. Shove it, right up yours!" The sound of loud footsteps clomping against the ground put Inuyasha on edge. He turns around, fight mad and ready to make Shawl's ears bleed. "What do you want—" He's bopped on the brow again. "Damn it, I swear to God—"

Then a hand's clapped over his mouth. Shawl dips his head lower to Inuyasha's level, slanted eyes dark and narrowed. "Shut. Up. OK? Jesus, never seen a man talk so much."

Inuyasha puts as much rage into his eyes as he can muster. Glee suddenly enters his gaze however. Shawl's expression morphs to disgust when a wet sweep glides along his palm. He rips his hand away, wiping it on his pants. "Real mature, Saotome."

"If you would've left me alone—"

"—I'm tryin' to talk to you—"

"For what?"

"To apologize, dumbass!"

Shawl clenched his jaw and looked away, flushed in the cheeks. Inuyasha, on the other hand, is dumbfounded. He hadn't expected, well, ever, to receive an apology from Shawl. He didn't look like the type to admit their flaws. Shit, Inuyasha still didn't believe he is the type. Inuyasha sighs, brushing a black lock off his cheek.

"So," he grumbles, irritated. "Apologize so I can go 'bout my business."

Shawl, looks him up and down. He rubs fingers between his eyes, "I was in the wrong for what I said. I have nothing against half demons, what I said was in the heat of the moment. I was angry. . . So . . . Call my," he pauses, thinks, and then continues, pocketing his hands, "offensive scurrility a parent's automatic response to protect his own."

Inuyasha studies him closely, eyebrow cocked. "So, what're tryin' to tell me is that you automatically snap racial slurs whenever someone insults your kid?" Inuyasha aims his index fingers at Shawl. "Fuck you, for the third time this evening, pal."

Shawl rolls his eyes. "You're takin' this outta context."

"Your words, not mine."

"Fine, I'm sorry."

"Anyone ever express to you the importance of first time impressions?"

"Why are you making this difficult?"

"Why bother?"

Shawl wipes a hand over his mouth, chuckling. "Ya know what," he slides up to Inuyasha, "fuck me? Fuck you, Saotome. I'm not gonna stand here tryin' to justify my actions to you. As one father to another, I thought you'd understand why I acted defensively. Wouldn't you if you were tired of someone always accusing your son of being a hellion, even when he can't help being who he is?" And he walks by, knocking his shoulder into Inuyasha's own.

Inuyasha turns around, watching Shawl go to collect their food. He gives Inuyasha's share without a word and Inuyasha can't find it in himself to say anything either. The rest of the night escapes him, mind too thick with guilt and frustration. It'll be the second time he felt like he was responsible for being the bigger man. Why did he have to be the one with the conscience? He wasn't wrong this time, right? It sure felt that way.

During the hustle it took for Inuyasha to hurry his son to the car to beat the crowds, Inuyasha spotted Shawl weaving his way towards the Football House to retrieve his son. He wasn't that far. It'd be the perfect chance to speak and make amends. They didn't have to like each other. They could be civil. Especially for his son's sake since the kid has a crush on Tsukuyomaru. It wouldn't do much good if Sesshomaru holds on to his vendetta against Inuyasha and took it out on Hiten.

Inuyasha's internally sadly takes too long and Shawl vanishes in the mix of people. Inuyasha tries to seek out the white hair, but comes up unsuccessful. Drumming his fingers on top of his car, he nods to himself. He'll try again. Whenever the chance presented itself, he and Shawl will have a talk . . . hopefully without going at each other's throats.

Text Messages:

Hiten

Tsukuyomaru

How'd things go?

I couldn't see much. They met up at the concession stand. I think they were arguing. Your Dad probably provoked mine.

I wouldn't be surprised. Ipso facto, he's a dick.

Knowing this, how exactly will they become friends? My dad's practically a walking beehive.

No problem. Whatever happened, we'll figure it out and go from there. I'll keep you posted.

Lol you don't give up, do ya?

Not a chance. If my ole man's finally met his match, I'm rooting for this shit to work out.

Lol if you're still down for it, I am too. . . BTW dude, are you alright?

Uh, yeah. Why wouldn't I be?

You got knocked down pretty hard during second quarter. . . You scared me.

Aww bro, ya ain't gotta worry. I'm good. Honest. It hurt like a bitch, but I'm straight. Dad's gonna take me to the clinic just to be on the safe side.

Cool, lemme know how that goes.

Will do. Remember to do your homework and I don't mean for school.

Got'cha.

Peace.

Bye.

TBC: Ya'll know how I am with drama and twists, yeah? We'll be getting a taste of that soon. But let me ask you something. How's the progression so far? Too slow? Too fast? Just right? Hit me up. Thanks for reading!